Monday, April 4, 2011

Around Town Week In a Glance - M is 36 & R is 16 months

We did an "Around Town" unit this week, which included learning about the post office, library, grocery store, and restaurant. I knew I was going to have a super busy week, so this was the perfect unit because it included a lot of independent pretend play or activities that she could work on while I was doing something else.

We sorted mail, using index cards w/ our family and friends' names. I cut little mailboxes out of paper lunch bags and labeled them A-Z and M sorted based on the first letter of their names.

We put "postage" on envelopes. I put some fake writing in appropriate places on an envelope and then wrote a number in the upper right corner where a stamp goes. (We used 11-20 since M still has a hard time recognizing those). M then had to put that number of stickers as "postage". Using stickers was great motor skills practice as well!

R was feeling left out so I pulled out our mailbox toy and had him practice putting the letters in.

M decided she wanted to send letters to two of her friends that are sick this week, so I pulled out some cardstock, stamps, and stickers and we made a couple of "Get Well Soon" cards. Then we addressed, stamped, and put in the mailbox together.

Tuesday - Library
We read some great library themed books.

M sorted some of our books various ways, including by subject, size, color, and at one point even by room (potty books went to the bathroom, princess books went to her room of course).

Wednesday - Grocery Store
We went through our weekly ads and M cut and pasted things we needed to buy on an index card. We went shopping later and she was able to use her special shopping list.

We read:

Thursday - Restaurant
M worked on a great practical life activity - learning how to set a table. I took some of her pretend kitchen toys and traced them on a piece of aper. She put each item in the correct place and then practiced her water pouring skills.

We read:

That's all for this week! I'm so excited for our Garden Theme next week!

What a fun week! We are doing an occupations week over here this week (Dr., Dentist, Postman, Police, and Fire). I've been looking forward to it, should be fun like yours was! I really like the grocery store activity. :)

I love how you planned this unit out, and the kids look like they are having fun with it! Works perfectly well with the errands you already have to run-may as well create a unit out of it and the kids learn so much too!